Base revenue from Trucking grew by 0.8% to $193.0 million. The increase was primarily the result of several factors:
Overall, the weighted average size of our Trucking segment’s tractor fleet decreased 0.9%. We reduced the weighted average size of the Company-owned tractor fleet by 3.0% to 2,466 tractors and grew our weighted average owner-operator fleet by 186.2% to 83 tractors.
Our "Velocity" initiative has injected a measure of discipline into our operations resulting in improved tractor utilization, fewer out-of-route miles and a decreased empty mile factor, despite a shorter average length of haul. We believe a continued reduction in industry-wide truckload capacity, rather than a meaningful improvement in freight volumes, has been the main factor in improved revenue per mile.
We have strategically targeted Freight Brokerage and rail intermodal for growth. We have established goals to double the size of our Freight Brokerage base revenue to approximately $20 million and to break into the rail intermodal market with $2 million of related base revenue in 2008. We made progress toward both goals this quarter. Base revenue from Strategic Capacity Solutions increased 68.8% to $8.0 million primarily due to a 77.9% increase in our Freight Brokerage base revenue. Base revenue from the portion of our rail intermodal service offerings that is classified into our Strategic Capacity Solutions operating segment grew from zero to $0.2 million.
In the trucking industry, revenues generally decrease as customers reduce shipments during the winter holiday season and as inclement weather impedes operations. At the same time, operating expenses increase due primarily to decreased fuel efficiency and increased maintenance costs. Future revenues could be impacted if customers, particularly those with manufacturing operations, reduce shipments due to temporary plant closings. Historically, many of our customers have closed their plants for maintenance or other reasons during January and July.
Most of our operating expenses are inflation sensitive, and we have not always been able to offset inflation-driven cost increases through increases in our revenue per mile and our cost control efforts. The effect of inflation-driven cost increases on our overall operating costs is not expected to be greater for us than for our competitors.
The motor carrier industry is dependent upon the availability of fuel. Fuel shortages or increases in fuel taxes or fuel costs have adversely affected our profitability and will continue to do so. Fuel prices have fluctuated widely, and fuel prices and fuel taxes have generarlly increased in recent years. We have not experienced difficulty in maintaining necessary fuel supplies, and in the past we generally have been able to
partially offset increases in fuel costs and fuel taxes through increased freight rates and through a fuel surcharge that increases incrementally as the price of fuel increases above an agreed upon baseline price per gallon. Typically, we are not able to fully recover increases in fuel prices through rate increases and fuel surcharges, primarily because those items do not provide any benefit with respect to empty and out-of-route miles, for which we typically do not receive compensation from customers. We do not have any long-term fuel purchase contracts and we have not entered into any other hedging arrangements that protect us against fuel price increases.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not currently have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a material current or future effect on our consolidated financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources. From time to time, we enter into operating leases relating to facilities and office equipment that are not reflected in our balance sheet.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The continued operation of our business requires significant investments in new revenue equipment. We have financed new tractor and trailer purchases predominantly with cash flows from operations, the proceeds from sales or trades of used equipment, borrowings under our Amended and Restated Senior Credit Facility and capital lease purchase arrangements. We have historically met our working capital needs with cash flows from operations and with borrowings under our Facility. We use the Facility to minimize fluctuations in cash flow needs and to provide flexibility in financing revenue equipment purchases. At June 30, 2008, we had approximately $29.2 million available under our Facility and $49.1 million of availability for new capital leases under existing lease facilities. Management is not aware of any known trends or uncertainties that would cause a significant change in our sources of liquidity. We expect our principal sources of capital to be sufficient to finance our operations, annual debt maturities, lease commitments, letter of credit commitments, capital expenditures as well as any dividends or stock repurchases we may transact for the next several years. There can be no assurance, however, that such sources will be sufficient to fund our operations and all expansion plans for the next several years, or that any necessary additional financing will be available, if at all, in amounts required or on terms satisfactory to us.
Cash Flows | | | | | |
| (in thousands) |
| Six Months Ended June 30, |
| 2008 | | 2007 |
Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 21,293 | | $ | 22,232 |
Net cash used in investing activities | | (27,326) | | | (4,312) |
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | | 2,313 | | | (19,155) |
Cash provided by operations decreased approximately $1.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007. The change was primarily due to a $1.5 million decrease in net income and an increase in depreciation of $0.7 million during the first six months of 2008 as compared to the first six months of 2007.
Cash used in investing activities increased approximately $23.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007 due to an increase in our net expenditures for revenue equipment. In 2006, we executed an aggressive revenue equipment acquisition program in anticipation of the EPA’s emission control regulations that went into effect in January 2007, which resulted in increased purchases in 2006 and a reduction in purchases in the first six months of 2007. In addition, as we began 2007, our fleet capacity exceeded freight availability, which prompted us to slow our fleet growth during the first six months of 2007.
Cash used in financing activities was $19.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007 as compared to cash provided by financing activities of $2.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008. This $21.5 million difference was primarily a result of our use of $13.1 million for repurchases of Common Stock for the six months ended June 30, 2007, a $0.3 million increase in payments on capitalized lease obligations, a $11.5 million increase in net borrowings on our Facility and a $2.3 million decrease in bank drafts payable.
Debt
Our Amended and Restated Senior Credit Facility provides for a maximum borrowing amount of $100.0 million, subject to a borrowing base calculation. The Facility includes a sublimit of up to $25.0 million for letters of credit and matures September 1, 2010.
The Facility is collateralized by revenue equipment having a net book value of approximately $199.5 million at June 30, 2008, and all trade and other accounts receivable. The Facility provides an accordion feature allowing us to increase the maximum borrowing amount by up to an additional $75.0 million in the aggregate in one or more increases no less than six months prior to the maturity date, subject to certain conditions. The maximum
22
borrowing including the accordion feature may not exceed $175.0 million without the consent of the lenders. At June 30, 2008, $64.6 million was outstanding under the Facility.
The Facility bears variable interest based on the agent bank’s prime rate, the federal funds rate plus a certain percentage or the London Interbank Offered Rate plus a certain percentage, which is determined based on our attainment of certain financial ratios. For the six months ended June 30, 2008, the effective interest rate was 4.6%. A quarterly commitment fee is payable on the unused credit line at a rate which is determined based on our attainment of certain financial ratios. At June 30, 2008, the rate was 0.2% per annum.
The Facility contains various covenants, which require us to meet certain quarterly financial ratios and to maintain a minimum tangible net worth of approximately $132.4 million at June 30, 2008. In the event we fail to cure an event of default, the loan can become immediately due and payable. As of June 30, 2008, we were in compliance with the covenants.
Certain leases contain cross-default provisions with other financing agreements, including the Facility, of the Company.
Equity
At June 30, 2008, we had stockholders’ equity of $143.8 million and total debt including current maturities of $121.1 million, resulting in a total debt, less cash, to total capitalization ratio of 44.1% compared to 36.8% at December 31, 2007.
Purchases and Commitments
As of June 30, 2008, our capital expenditures forecast, net of proceeds from the sale or trade of equipment, was $28.4 million for the remainder of 2008, approximately $18.8 million of which relates to revenue equipment acquisitions. To the extent further capital expenditures are feasible based on our debt covenants and operating cash requirements, we would use the balance of $9.6 million primarily for property acquisitions, facility construction and improvements and maintenance and office equipment. We routinely evaluate our equipment acquisition needs and adjust our purchase and disposition schedules from time to time based on our analysis of factors such as freight demand, the availability of drivers and the condition of the used equipment market. During the six months ended June 30, 2008, we made $48.6 million of net capital expenditures, including $46.1 million for revenue equipment purchases and $2.5 million for facility expansions and other expenditures. The following table represents our outstanding contractual obligations at June 30, 2008, excluding letters of credit:
| (in thousands) |
| Payments Due By Period |
| Total | | Less than 1 year | | 1-3 years | | 3-5 years | | More than 5 years |
Contractual Obligations: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term debt obligations (1) | $ | 64,643 | | $ | -- | | $ | 64,643 | | $ | -- | | $ | -- |
Capital lease obligations (2) | | 59,952 | | | 21,592 | | | 27,440 | | | 10,920 | | | -- |
Purchase obligations (3) | | 40,164 | | | 40,164 | | | -- | | | -- | | | -- |
Rental obligations | | 1,505 | | | 687 | | | 453 | | | 30 | | | 335 |
Total | $ | 166,264 | | $ | 62,443 | | $ | 92,536 | | $ | 10,950 | | $ | 335 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (1) | Long-term debt obligations, excluding letters of credit in the amount of $6.2 million, consist of our Senior Credit Facility, which matures on September 1, 2010. |
| (2) | Includes interest payments not included in the balance sheet. |
| (3) | Purchase obligations include commitments to purchase approximately $39.4 million of revenue equipment of which approximately $20.0 million are cancelable by us upon advance written notice provided 75 days prior to the scheduled delivery date of the equipment. |
New Accounting Pronouncements
See “Note F – New Accounting Pronouncements” to the consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-Q for a description of the most recent accounting pronouncements and their effect, if any.
ITEM 3. | QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK |
We experience various market risks, including changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and commodity prices.
Interest Rate Risk. We are exposed to interest rate risk primarily from our Amended and Restated Senior Credit Facility. The Facility provides for borrowings that bear interest at variable rates based on the agent bank’s prime rate, the federal funds rate plus a certain percentage or the London Interbank Offered Rate plus a certain percentage. At June 30, 2008, we had $70.8 million outstanding pursuant to our Facility including letters of credit
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of $6.2 million. Assuming the outstanding balance at June 30, 2008 was to remain constant, a hypothetical one-percentage point increase in interest rates applicable to the Facility would increase our interest expense over a one-year period by approximately $0.6 million.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk. We require customers to pay for our services in U.S. dollars. Although the Canadian government makes certain payments, such as tax refunds, to us in Canadian dollars, any foreign currency exchange risk associated with such payments is not material.
Commodity Price Risk. Fuel prices have fluctuated greatly and have generally increased in recent years. In some periods, our operating performance was adversely affected because we were not able to fully offset the impact of higher diesel fuel prices through increased freight rates and fuel surcharges. We cannot predict the extent to which high fuel price levels will continue in the future or the extent to which fuel surcharges could be collected to offset such increases. We do not have any long-term fuel purchase contracts and we have not entered into any other hedging arrangements that protect us against fuel price increases. Volatile fuel prices will continue to impact us significantly. A significant increase in fuel costs, or a shortage of diesel fuel, could materially and adversely affect our results of operations. These costs could also exacerbate the driver shortages our industry experiences by forcing independent contractors to cease operations.
ITEM 4. | CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES |
As of the end of the period covered by this report, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (the “CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (the “CFO”), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, our management, including the CEO and CFO, concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level. There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
We have confidence in our internal controls and procedures. Nevertheless, our management, including our CEO and CFO, does not expect that our disclosure procedures and controls or our internal controls will prevent all errors or intentional fraud. An internal control system, no matter how well-conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of such internal controls are met. Further, the design of an internal control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all internal control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all our control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected.
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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
We are party to routine litigation incidental to our business, primarily involving claims for personal injury and property damage incurred in the transportation of freight. We maintain insurance covering liabilities in excess of certain self-insured retention levels. Though management believes these claims to be routine and immaterial to our long-term financial position, adverse results of one or more of these claims could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations in any given reporting period.
On May 22, 2006, a former independent sales agent filed a lawsuit against us entitled All-Ways Logistics, Inc. v. USA Truck, Inc., in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas, Jonesboro Division, alleging, among other things, breach of contract, breach of implied duty of good faith and fair dealing, and tortious interference with business relations. The plaintiff alleged that the Company breached and wrongfully terminated the commission sales agent agreement with it and improperly interfered with its business relationship with certain of its customers. In early August 2007, the jury returned an unfavorable verdict in this contract dispute. The jury held that the Company breached the contract and awarded the plaintiff damages of approximately $3.0 million, which was accrued during the quarter ended September 30, 2007. In its December 4, 2007 order, the court denied substantially all of USA Truck’s motions for post-trial relief and granted the plaintiff’s motions for pre-judgment interest, attorney’s fees and costs in an amount totaling approximately $1.7 million, which was accrued during the fourth quarter of 2007. The court’s order also awarded the plaintiff post-judgment interest, of which we accrued approximately $0.05 and $0.1 million for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2008, respectively. On January 2, 2008, the Company filed an appeal of the verdict and the court’s order and the appeal is currently pending before the 8th Circuit United States Court of Appeals.
Certain risks associated with our operations are discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, under the heading “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of that report. We do not believe there have been any material changes in these risks during the six months ended June 30, 2008.
ITEM 2. | UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS |
(a) Recent unregistered sales of securities.
None.
(b) Use of proceeds from registered sales of securities.
None.
(c) Purchases of equity securities by the issuer and affiliated purchasers.
On January 24, 2007, we publicly announced that our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 2,000,000 shares of our outstanding Common Stock over a three-year period ending January 24, 2010. We may make Common Stock purchases under this program on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions at prices determined by our Chairman of the Board or President. During the six months ended June 30, 2008, we did not repurchase any shares of our Common Stock. Our current repurchase authorization has 1,165,901 shares remaining.
The following table sets forth information regarding shares of Common Stock purchased or that may yet be purchased by us under the current authorization during the second quarter of 2008.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Period | | Total Number of Shares Purchased | | Average Price Paid per Share | | Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs | | Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs |
April 1 – April 30 | | -- | | $ | -- | | -- | | 1,165,901 |
May 1 – May 31 | | -- | | | -- | | -- | | 1,165,901 |
June 1 – June 30 | | -- | | | -- | | -- | | 1,165,901 |
Total | | -- | | $ | -- | | -- | | 1,165,901 |
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We may reissue repurchased shares under our equity compensation plans or as otherwise directed by the Board of Directors.
We are required to include in the table above purchases made by us or by an affiliated purchaser. For this purpose, “affiliated purchaser” does not include our Employee Stock Purchase Plan, which provides that shares purchased for employees under that Plan may be shares provided by us or shares purchased on the open market. Open market purchases under that Plan are made by the administrator of the Plan, which is an agent independent of us. Any shares purchased by the administrator are not counted against the number of shares available for purchase by us pursuant to the repurchase authorization described above.
ITEM 3. | DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES |
None.
ITEM 4. | SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS |
The annual meeting of stockholders of the Company was held on May 7, 2008. At the meeting, the stockholders elected the people set forth in the table below to serve as directors for a term expiring at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders in 2011:
| | Votes | | Votes | | Broker |
Nominee | | For | | Withheld | | Non-votes |
William H. Hanna | | 9,160,072 | | 231,191 | | -- |
Joe D. Powers | | 9,150,634 | | 240,629 | | -- |
None.
3.01 | Restated and Amended Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-45682, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 13, 1992 [the “Form S-1”]). |
3.02 | Amended Bylaws of the Company as currently in effect (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001). |
3.03 | Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of the Company filed March 17, 1992 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to Amendment No. 1 to the Form S-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 19, 1992). |
3.04 | Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of the Company filed April 29, 1993 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 5 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 2, 1997 [the “Form 8-A/A”]). |
3.05 | Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of the Company filed May 13, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 6 to the Form 8-A/A). |
4.01 | Specimen certificate evidencing shares of the Common Stock, $.01 par value, of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Form S-1). |
4.02 | Instruments with respect to long-term debt not exceeding 10.0% of the total assets of the Company have not been filed. The Company agrees to furnish a copy of such instruments to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request. |
4.03 | Amended and Restated Senior Credit Facility dated September 1, 2005, between the Company and Bank of America, N.A., U.S. Bank, N.A., SunTrust Bank and Regions Bank collectively as the Lenders (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K dated September 8, 2005). |
31.1 | Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
31.2 | Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
32.1 | Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
32.2 | Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
| | | | USA Truck, Inc. |
| | | | (Registrant) |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Date: | August 1, 2008 | | By: | /s/ CLIFTON R. BECKHAM |
| | | | Clifton R. Beckham |
| | | | President and Chief Executive Officer |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Date: | August 1, 2008 | | By: | /s/ DARRON R. MING |
| | | | Darron R. Ming |
| | | | Vice President, Finance, Chief |
| | | | Financial Officer and Treasurer |
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INDEX TO EXHIBITS
USA TRUCK, INC.
Exhibit Number | | Exhibit |
| 3.01 | Restated and Amended Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-45682, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 13, 1992 [the “Form S-1”]). |
| 3.02 | Amended Bylaws of the Company as currently in effect (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001). |
| 3.03 | Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of the Company filed March 17, 1992 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to Amendment No. 1 to the Form S-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 19, 1992). |
| 3.04 | Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of the Company filed April 29, 1993 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 5 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 2, 1997 [the “Form 8-A/A”]). |
| 3.05 | Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of the Company filed May 13, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 6 to the Form 8-A/A). |
| 4.01 | Specimen certificate evidencing shares of the Common Stock, $.01 par value, of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Form S-1). |
| 4.02 | Instruments with respect to long-term debt not exceeding 10.0% of the total assets of the Company have not been filed. The Company agrees to furnish a copy of such instruments to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request. |
| 4.03 | Amended and Restated Senior Credit Facility dated September 1, 2005, between the Company and Bank of America, N.A., U.S. Bank, N.A., SunTrust Bank and Regions Bank collectively as the Lenders (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K dated September 8, 2005). |
| 31.1 | Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
| 31.2 | Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
| 32.1 | Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
| 32.2 | Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
| | | |
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